Hair Loss During Hepatitis C Therapy

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Hair Loss During Hepatitis C Therapy

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Monday, December 6, 2010

Posted by New HCV Drugs

FILE UNDER SIDE EFFECTS

Hair Loss During HCV Therapy

From Tina:

Hair loss or breakage is common with interferon and approximately one third of

people on HCV therapy develop noticeable hair loss . You also have to appreciate

that the severity of this side effect varies enormously from person to person.

...

When I reflect upon my experience a few things stand out. Because I am a

slightly vain I noticed my hair loss more than those around me (unless they

lied). Another factor was my thyroid, it was more dysfunctional then I was. We

know thyroid problems arise when using interferon. A dysfunctional thyroid can

cause hair loss and people loss. Yes, I myself and my hair were lost. I used

" Nioxin " a special type of shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for

people with mild hair loss due to adverse effects from immune stimulating (and

chemotherapy) medications. However, for me it did nothing and going against all

the advice given to me by my treatment nurse and friends, forgive me, I

highlighted my hair. I felt it gave my hair the appearance of looking and

feeling thicker. If I was going to be ugly during treatment I was going to be

ugly as a blonde. *smile.

..

..2010 Aug

..

Thyroid dysfunction in a UK hepatitis C population treated with interferon-alpha

and ribavirin combination therapy.

..

.. Costelloe SJ, Wassef N, Schulz J, Vaghijiani T, C, Whiting S, M,

Dusheiko G, s M, Vanderpump MP.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, Pond

Street, London, United Kingdom.

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2010 Aug;73(2):249-56. Epub 2010 Feb 10.

...

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the incidence of thyroid dysfunction (TD) in a UK cohort of patients

with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with interferon-alpha (IFNalpha)

and ribavirin combination therapy (IFN/RBV).

..

DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS:

A retrospective study of 288 patients who received IFN/RBV for HCV during a

2-year period from January 2006 was performed. Thyroid function was assessed

during a 24-week or 48-week course of IFN/RBV. If serum thyrotrophin (TSH)

became undetectable (less then 0.01 mU/l) and serum free thyroxine (T4) was

raised, a diagnostic thyroid isotope scan was performed.

...

RESULTS:

Full medical records were examined for 260 patients (172 men, 88 women) included

in the study, of whom 22.3% (16.9% of men, 33.0% of women) developed TD during

IFN/RBV. In total, 10.4% developed a suppressed serum TSH (0.8% Graves' disease,

9.6% transient thyroiditis) while 11.9% developed an elevated serum TSH with

1.5% becoming permanently hypothyroid and requiring levothyroxine therapy.

,

Women had a relative risk (RR) for developing TD of 1.96 (CI: 1.75-3.03, P =

0.004). A serum TSH > or =1.75 mU/l and a positive thyroid peroxidase (TPO)

antibody titre pretherapy were associated with RRs for progression to TD of 6.02

(CI: 2.95-12.78, P less then 0.0001) and 4.35 (CI: 2.58-6.52; P less then

0.0001), respectively, while combination of baseline TSH and TPO antibody data

predicted progression to TD with a sensitivity of 94.7%..

...

CONCLUSIONS:

Although Thyroid dysfunction=TD was common in this cohort, just 2.3% developed

TD that required ongoing therapy. Pre-IFN/RBV serum TSH and TPO antibody titre

were found to predict progression to TD in this group of patients.

.. .

PMID: 20148905 [PubMed - in process]

...

From : ls of Hepatology 2008;

May also be viewed here: January-March: 72-77

..

" Use the zoom tool to view presentation " .

Thyroid dysfunction (TD) among chronic hepatitis C patients ...

View more documents from roger961.

..Also See: Thyroid and Hepatitis C ..

....Iron Deficiency Not Likely Culprit in Female Hair Loss

Researchers find no difference in rate of iron deficiency between subjects and

controls

FRIDAY, Dec. 3

(HealthDay News) -- Although past research has suggested a correlation between

iron deficiency (ID) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL) or chronic telogen

effluvium (CTE), a recent population-based study published in the December issue

of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology finds no such association.

Continue reading...........

..

Hair Loss and Interferon (Oldie But Goodie)

Interferon can cause hair thinning, hair loss, hair breakage, and can change the

texture of hair. However, some women are under the impression that interferon

therapy will cause them to lose all their hair. (Well, that's what Pamela

stated as one of her main reasons for not starting therapy!). This is a

total misconception. In fact, hair loss while on interferon therapy is

infrequent. If it occurs at all, the amount of hair lost is often minimal and

usually unnoticeable to others. Women on interferon do not experience hair loss

in the way that a cancer patient on chemotherapy does. Hair loss from interferon

appears to be most frequent in Caucasians with black hair, and in Orientals.

It typically occurs around the third or fourth month of therapy. Hair loss may

continue for up to three months after treatment is discontinued. Hair loss is

more common among women then it is among men (as well as less socially

acceptable).

If hair loss does occur, there are many steps that women can take to minimize

this side effect. Women should refrain from dying or bleaching their hair while

on interferon therapy, since this may exacerbate hair loss. A mild hair rinse

may be used as an alternative to coloring. Avoid permanents and hair

straightening procedures while on therapy. Many women have found the vitamin

biotin (a B vitamin) to be helpful. It is advisable to take this vitamin daily a

few weeks prior to beginning therapy and to continue while on therapy. A mild

shampoo and a detangling conditioner are advisable. Nioxin shampoo, Nioxin

conditioner and Nioxin hair growth promoter can help keep hair loss to a minimum

while on therapy. Nioxin hair loss treatment should be started about a month

prior to starting antiviral therapy. Other recommended shampoos include

Tricomin, Revivogen and Nizoral. Minoxidil (Rogaine) liquid topical medication

may be of some benefit. It should be applied only to the scalp and not ingested.

It may stop hair loss and thicken the remaining hair, but continued use twice

daily for at least 4 months is typically required before obvious results are

noted.

Other tips for diminishing hair loss include: the use of a wide tooth comb,

avoidance of curling irons and rollers, and avoidance of daily shampooing. Avoid

cornrowing, tight braids and pulling hair back in a ponytail with tight

rubberbands. A short haircut may be in order. If hair loss becomes a major

problem, medical insurances will typically cover the cost of a wig or a

hairpiece. Often a doctor's note or prescription along with a receipt of

purchase is all that is required for insurance reimbursement.

Fortunately, any hair loss induced by interferon therapy is temporary, and

regrowth typically occurs within three to six months from the drug's

discontinuation. The color and texture of hair may differ from the person's

original hair type. In fact, many women have noted that their hair grows back

thicker, straighter, and shinier than before!

Continue reading................

.....

ALOPECIA

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

nterferon affects the hair follicles and changes the texture of the hair,

thereby making it

more sensitive to breakage. Hair loss, which has been described as a possible

side effect

of treatment with interferons,1 occurs by one of two mechanisms. First, loss via

a

shearing or friction effect at the scalp level (often during sleep as the hair

moves across a

pillow) is caused by the weak, brittle nature of hair changes. Second, loss can

occur via a

spontaneous release of the hair from the follicle, leaving the follicle empty,

which is

usually seen with vigorous shampooing or brushing. Alopecia is frequently

observed

when therapy is continued for longer than 3 to 4 months, and is characterized by

thinning

and slight-to-mild hair loss. It appears to be the most common cutaneous

reaction

associated with interferon alfa treatment. Alopecia may become more pronounced

when

interferon is discontinued and may continue for 1 to 3 months.3 In general,

alopecia

associated with interferon is reversible. In some patients, hair regrowth occurs

during

treatment continuation.

Total revealed alopecia is seen more often with high-dose interferon or

long-term

interferon maintenance therapy.

Side Effects Management Handbook/Cleveland Clinic

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